Berkeley, California (Wednesday, August 08, 2012) - Berkeley residents are invited to join the tens of thousands of California volunteers who will help clean up our local beaches, bays, and waterways during this year’s Coastal Cleanup Day.

Each year more than a million pounds of debris is removed from California beaches, rivers, creeks, lakes, and waterways. The top 10 trash items are “one-use” items, and 80 percent of the trash we pick up comes from land-based sources. The net environmental impact of the Shoreline Cleanup is tremendously positive, and the good feeling that Cleanup volunteers get is the icing on the cake.

Although we will have disposable bags and gloves, we would like to reduce this plastic usage at the event:

· Bring a bucket or reusable bag for collecting trash (most Cleanup sites are equipped with dumpsters or roll-away bins, so you can dump what you collect and bring your bucket or reusable bag back home).

· Bring a lightweight pair of gardening gloves from home

· Bring a filled, reusable water bottle.

· Use public transportation, bike, or carpool. Use the pedestrian overpass and the Bay Trail, or take the 51B bus to the staging area at University Ave. and Frontage Rd.

Along with picking up trash, volunteers will help compile data about garbage for the largest research project in the world. The data that is collected is used to change laws and to educate people about how to be conscientious consumers. The education we are able to impart year round has started to change people’s consuming habits. Each of us can make a difference every day.

This Sept. 15th cleanup will take place at the mouth of three creeks, and along our east shoreline and all around the Berkeley Marina.

Plan on Helping Out?

Individuals and small groups can register on the day of the event between 9:00-10:30 a.m., behind the Sea Breeze Market and Deli on the corner of West Frontage Rd. and University Ave. Please arrive promptly to sign waivers, receive a safety training and get directions to the clean-up locations.

At the end of the Cleanup, when you return the filled out data card, you will get a raffle ticket for some great prizes.

Other Locations: If you are interested in cleaning up the Emeryville shoreline, show up at the Firehouse on Powell St. at 9:00 a.m. For Albany, go to Albany Beach at the foot of Buchanan St. in Albany at 9:00 a.m.